Crete (Heraklion), Greece

The most populated of Greece’s 6,000 islands, there’s a good reason Crete is number one: simply put, it’s lovely. From the breathtaking mountain vistas of Psiloritis to the beaches of Vai — which look like a scene straight out of a Hawaiian postcard — there’s something for all tastes on Crete. Don’t miss the stunning architectural wonders left behind by Venetian and Turkish invaders, like Kales Castle, the Venetian Loggia and arsenals, and even the house of Baroness Von Schwartz. But Heraklion is probably best known as the gateway to the breathtaking 4,000 year-old Minoan ruins at Knossos, and to the famous windmills stretched across the Lassithi Plateau.

Visit Knossos, the legendary home of the Labyrinth and the Minotaur.

Visit the Monastery of Kera and enjoy some of the famous Cretan specialties.

Discover the ancient Minoan civilization by visiting the famous ruins of King Minos palace.